EXCLUSIVE: Watch Fuentes Cafe Downtown Roof Collapse on Security Cameras and Learn About Their Long Road to Re-Opening

Fuentes Downtown Cafe was damaged by portions of the building next door's wall falling onto the roof. (LIVE! Photo/John Basquez)

By Yantis Green | Mar. 1, 2019 2:45 pm

SAN ANGELO, TX — Fuentes Café in downtown San Angelo is slowly rebuilding and upgrading thanks in part to TIRZ funding and assistance from the city.

Fuentes has been closed since a wall and roof collapse in September 2018 after two weeks of heavy rain. Owner and operator John Fuentes says they were shocked the they first saw the damage. “All I could say was WOW!”

“We were devastated when we saw what a mess we had here.”

WATCH: Exclusive Footage of the Roof Collapse from Security Cameras:

As we reported on Feb. 19, Fuentes was awarded $60,000 Tuesday for the installation of a new smoke and fire alarm system. Fuentes says they had to remove the center wall because it was damaged as well. He says they won’t have a center wall and they are installing 30 ft. steel beams for an outside wall now.

Fuentes says they are also upgrading the restrooms and installing handicap accessible ramps. The restaurant has been in the same location at the corner of Chadbourne and Beauregard streets for 35 years. Fuentes says he doesn’t have a timeline for reopening but it could take several more months.

“We had 42 employees when the wall fell. Most of them have been absorbed by other local restaurants.” Said Fuentes.

The popular Mexican restaurant was a destination for many San Angeloans and out-of-towners alike. Fuentes is known for its chips and hot sauce, traditional entrees and margaritas.

About the Author

Yantis Green - Senior Reporter

Yantis Green earned a B.A. in Journalism from Angelo State University in 1989. He studied English in the M.A. program at ASU. He is a former County Commissioner, former School Board Trustee, former GOP national delegate and author.